Coffee County Youth leaders run county for a day

Coffee County was in the hands of 27 high school students Monday as the Youth Leadership Team took the reins of government for the day.
“Giving Directions for Future Challenges” is the theme of the youth leadership program that features special on-site experiences in several areas of community development, including state government, military affairs and agriculture, program steering committee Chairman Stanley Walker said Monday.
Each year, 25 high school juniors from all five county high schools are selected to participate in the program to develop leadership skills and provide life experiences that will allow them to excel in community leadership roles, he said. “Area school counselors, the Coffee County Cooperative Extension Office and the Elba and Enterprise Chambers of Commerce coordinate the program with the program steering committee.”
The program lasts the entire school year, Walker said, adding that six one-day hands-on events are scheduled such as Monday’s interaction with Coffee County commissioners. Participating schools are Kinston, Zion Chapel, Elba, Enterprise and New Brockton High Schools, said Walker. “For the first time this year Enterprise Preparatory Academy has participant slots, but they are not filled at this time.”
New Brockton High School students participating are Ja’Micah Dunn, Brandi Hendrix, Heather Hendrix, Chelsey Holloway and Steven Smith. Participants from Zion Chapel High School are Sarah Allen, Derrick Sanders and Brooklyn Trahan. From Kinston High School, students participating are Hunter Anderson, Allison Bess, Courtney Bryan, Autumn Floyd, James Jones and Ashley Snell. Lindsey Carnley, Cortnee Driggers, Amber Hudson, Robyn Johnson, Molly McGuire and Bethany Wilson are team members from Elba High School. From Enterprise High School, participants are Blake Bulls, Patrick Campbell, Dorothy Crowley, Danielle Gadzala, Patty Maxham, Sarah Strickland and Katie Wilcox.
Students interested in participating in the leadership program undergo a selection progress that includes interviews, Walker added. “It is very rewarding to see all these young people from different cities and schools coming together as a team.”
“I look forward to voting for one of you in the future,” Coffee County Commissioner Kim Ellis told the group assembled in the commission chambers Monday morning. “You are the future,” Commissioner Dean Smith added. Commissioner Tom Grimsley agreed. “Coffee County is in good hands for the future,” he said.
“My hat is off to this fine leadership,” Commissioner Bernest Brooks said. “The future rests in your hands and we can look forward to a great future,” Commissioner Robert Stephens told the student leaders. Commissioner Al Britt thanked the students for their participating in county government.
“You need to know just how complicated it is to run a county,” County Attorney Joe Cassady said. “People really need to know that.” 
This year is the first year the county commission has participated with the youth leadership team, Commission Chairman Jim Thompson said. “Hopefully we can build on the offices participating next year.”
“The education and training of young people for leadership and involvement in public affairs in the local area,” is the focus of the program Walker said. “It establishes channels of communication among community leaders and the students.”